this month's e-news contains: opening muse latest studio happenings teacher feature asana, yogi, & tranquiliTeam player of the month tranquiliT boutique seasonal specials ongoing offerings enlightening events

studio hours: monday 10:00 a.m. - 9:30 p.m. tuesday 11:30 a.m. - 9:30 p.m. wednesday 10:00 a.m. - 9:30 p.m. thursday 11:30 a.m. - 9:30 p.m. friday 10:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. saturday  9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. sunday 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. take a yoga class, shop the tranquiliT boutique or stop in to say hello

opening muse

I am continually impressed by the extremely varied perceptions of what it means to be a practitioner of yoga. 15 million Americans now practice hatha yoga regularly and for so many different reasons — all incredibly valid. I emphasize this with blossoming teachers-in-training. There is not one perfect reason for practicing yoga. Samadhi/enlightenment is a fabulous concept but I know many yogis simply trying to pay rent, keep their relationships afloat, and weed through their endless to do list.

As a yogini, my focus is not based in studying the ancient spiritual texts, yearning to spend time in an ashram or even learning Sanskrit. These all play a part but mainly I am a seeker, striving to live life to the fullest in my modern, urban environment and yoga is my VERY powerful catalyst. Many question whether yoga has become too Westernized. I believe that the practice must work for the practitioner's lifestyle; however you choose to use it. You may find that an initial intention of toning the body or checking out a local gym yoga class evolves into a desire to learn more about yourself, to take more chances in life, and to enjoy a new connection with the breath. THIS is the true power of yoga.

A yoga practice is constantly evolving and the needs or intentions of approaching the mat each time varies. How can this be wrong? We are always at new crossroads in our busy, stress-filled lives and I'm grateful for the relief that yoga provides many Washingtonians, especially our amazing Tranquil Space community. I encourage you to contemplate what your yoga practice means to you, how it assists your life journey, and to never berate yourself for not being good enough, not knowing enough, or not getting a certain pose. The power of yoga is so much deeper and so very individual. Just showing up is half the battle!

In the approaching crisp months, consciously contemplate your yoga practice when you set your intention or dedication at the beginning of class. Honor your growth, along with your limitations. As our natural world begins to shed its leaves, turn inward and shed what no longer serves you — clutter, relationships, resentment. All of life can be your yoga practice and carrying strength, flexibility, and courage off of the mat into your life can have profound results. Bring this concept to life during your next traffic jam, differing opinion with a colleague, or as you step out of the comfort zone.

I encourage you to complete your practice by invoking the quality of yoga into all aspects of your life. Notice how you speak and interact with others as you leave the studio, how you handle situations and relationships, how you handle challenges. Are you able to view your life as mini-vinyasas that begin and end with best intentions, compassion and love? This month allow yourself to release feeling that your practice has to be a certain way and let it evolve by taking it (and life) one pose at a time.

Sensationally yours, Kimberly Wilson Creative Director

latest studio happenings

• Tranquil Space is open Columbus Day weekend.
• Vinyasa pioneer yogini Shiva Rea is coming to Tranquil Space on October 9.
• 9 NEW classes for fall - meditation, baby break, another yoga 3 and a $5 yoga 1!  View our expanded schedule.
• Sign up in advance for classes!  This month we'll be implementing a webscheduler option for those of you who would like to secure your space at your fave class time. Preview the Tranquil Space webscheduler now.
• Are you a harboring a closeted creative streak? Showcase your items at our holiday tranquiliT trunk show on Saturday, December 4.  Visit us this Friday, October 1 for our Fall tranquiliT trunk show featuring 14 local designers and tranquiliT!
• Spend a weekend away from it all with Kimberly at the fall foliage retreat.
• Free yoga in exchange for sharing your skills. Visit our studio opportunities page for the studio's current needs.
• Share your thoughts with our student survey for the opportunity to participate in a random drawing for one of ten tranquiliT tees.
• We offer lots of great lifestyle AND yoga workshops.  Visit enlightening events for details!
• Community celebration. A way to celebrate Tranquil Space yogis' honors and developments! Please share your celebrations with us by e-mailing newsletter@tranquilspace.com.
  • Welcome to our newly-added tranquiliT treatment massage therapist Eduardo Cortina, and studio cleaner Lissette Ramos.
  • Congrats to our recent level 1 teacher training graduates: Barbara, Brenda, Diana, Dana, Hilary, Hilary 2, Kelley, Lucia, Nicole, Rebecca, Roy And Zoe! You all were a treat to work with!
  • Tranquil Space was coined BEST YOGA STUDIO in or around Georgetown by the Georgetown Hoya!
  • tranquiliT boutique was featured in this week's lucky online.
  • Watch for the newly redesigned tranquiliT boutique website coming soon — tips & trends, shop online, tranquiliT trunk shows and more!
  • Studio Assistant Jessica Alpert has been a visionary behind www.carrieforkerry and was featured in Wonkette and the Washington Post.
  • A favorite local author, Mary Foley, is co-hosting an "Evening of Fun, Friendship and Fashion" on Wed, Oct 13, 6 - 9 pm in Falls Church, VA. Socializing, dinner, and presentations! Visit www.gobodacious.com/oct13 for the scoop!
  • Congratulations to Kirsty Hayes, who gave birth to her daughter Liberty (Libby), Kim Pedercini and her daughter, Anna Constance Pedercini, and Sylvie Mortimer, who is the proud mom of Mia.
  • Share photos of you wearing tranquiliT tees around the globe! This month's feature: Tranquil Space teacher Peg Armstrong and her sisters.
    


To be featured in next month's newsletter, send photos to newsletter@tranquilspace.com.

teacher feature
anne thiel

When I embarked on my journey with yoga, I had no itinerary, no map, no destination in mind. I don't even know if I was clear on what my starting point was - I may not even have been aware that I was setting off on a journey for that matter. The taxing demands of a dissertation writing process provided the impetus for finding a means to combat stress - and that gave me ample reason to give yoga a try. Little did I know what riches the journey would hold for me, that after each bend and each corner of the road, there would be something new to discover, new territory to be charted out: a new strength to be sensed, a new openness to be developed, old tensions and habitual patterns to be noticed and released. I also realized soon, these new discoveries did not happen merely/exclusively on the mat but also in my "practice off the mat" - life. The gradual development of strength in my asana practice translated into a stronger self-assertion in my job, the deepening of backbends (heart-opening) into a more welcoming and accepting attitude - to name only two examples. I didn't set out to 'accomplish' these changes, they just sort of occurred along the road. And so I am still venturing on without a set of well formulated driving directions. Instead, I believe that to be a true sojourner on this journey, it is essential to have no itinerary, no map, no destination. The new territory awaiting to be discovered, the challenges to be mastered along the way, the surprises to be enjoyed, they are all unique to me. My asana practice is a useful tool that leads me to many realizations and my wonderful teachers offer invaluable loving and nurturing support and encouragement. But in the end I myself have to recognize and decide where to dig deeper, where to back off, where to look fear into the eye and overcome it. Best of all, for me the yoga journey is not much of an external journey. The point is not to achieve a certain goal, accomplish anything in particular. Rather, the journey takes place within. It gets blocked energies moving and leads me to a still point deep inside me, even if sometimes only for brief moments of a practice, where I can rest and find peace. And so I venture on, not knowing yet what else the journey holds for me and without a map, itinerary or destination in mind, merely guided by my own compass and propelled forward by a growing excitement about what is there to come - and along the way, enjoying the ride. To read more about Anne, visit our teacher page.

asana of the month
bird of paradise

benefits: improves balance and body awareness, encourages concentration, opens the hips, and connects the yogi to the beauty of baby steps.

yogi of the month
lindsye mitchell

I am, traditionally, a runner. I have been running long distances for the better part of my life and thought that I was in pretty good shape. Then, about six months ago my sister convinced me to attend a yoga class in Alabama with her. I found yoga incredibly challenging and also rewarding in a different way than running. When I returned to DC I literally happened upon Tranquil Space one day and after my first class here I knew I had found my yoga home. The teachers are the greatest and so patient with my incredibly slow progress. My yoga practice has not only given me strength physically, but I believe it has trickled over to give me new determination in other areas of my life as well. While I may not have the right clothes or the even the natural coordination, I believe I will be practicing yoga at Tranquil Space for the duration of my DC life. Oh, and I am a foodie so (apparently like other TS yogis) having cookies as a reward really helps!

tranquiliTeam player of the month
danielle polen

I live in a crooked house. I am married to a crooked man who hasn’t spoken more than a crooked word to me in months. I have a naked dog with an over-active mulabandha who spends her days creating free-form art installations with undergarments from the dirty clothes hamper. My day job is hectic and not terribly engaging and I don’t get enough sleep. I have an unrealistic fear of sharks and maintain a file on shark attacks. I secretly fantasize about assuming a new identity and riding out my days (along with the hurricanes) in Key West. I am obsessed with men who look like Jesus. There are some in my family who believe I am Elvis. In brief, my world is very short on Calgon moments. Within the pink, perfumed, shabby chic womb of Tranquil Space, I am able to ground myself anew and re-connect with my inner Elvis. Like much in my Life, my discovery of Tranquil Space was the product of chance rather than any preformed intent, although I have now come to view the event as a synchronistic moment. The maturation of my yoga practice within the nurturing community of Tranquil Space has brought with it many gifts, foremost among them the wisdom and patience to accept my current state of being and the ability to breathe more fully through Life’s currents. I still harbor attachments, still occasionally get swept away by crises, but each pilgrimage to Tranquil Space, whether as student or teacher, leaves me centered and renewed. And each time I walk back out the velvet-draped door and jump back into the river of Life, I give thanks to Kimberly for her vision, and to my wonderful Tranquil Space friends, colleagues and students for their generosity of spirit. While there may always be a shark or two lurking just below the surface, and a naked dog concocting mischief, and a Jesus look-alike to ruffle my inner calm, I know that Tranquility is just a bike ride away. Om shanti.

tranquiliT boutique
clothing, accessories, and specialties for on the mat and on the town

Shop the tranquiliT boutique: a fusion of fashion and passion in celebration of yogis' bodies and spirits!

tranquiliT boutique carries Sweetees, Sweet Pea, Velvet, and other FABULOUS lines.  All pieces are hand picked by Kimberly, made of luxurious fabrics that stretch with your body, and designed for wearing on and off the yoga mat.  The tranquiliT boutique blends a love of fashion, a desire for comfort, and a sprinkle of flair.

Tranquil Space's own line of yoga clothing and accessories, tranquiliT, is designed to celebrate the bodies and spirits of the style-conscious yogi.  Join us on Friday, October 1 for our seasonal trunk show debuting the new fall tranquiliT designs and featuring other local designers.

tranquiliT boutique's featured items this month are Kimberly's fall tranquiliT designs. Each long sleeve piece is made with luxurious fabric, perfect for layering, and cut in flattering styles. Limited quantities available at our tranquiliT trunk show this friday.

Share your retail therapy thoughts by submitting this boutique survey.